Mexico City’s Zócalo Square Hosts Three King’s Day Celebration with 10 ton ‘Rosca de Reyes’

Mexico City’s Zócalo Square Hosts Three King’s Day Celebration with 10 ton ‘Rosca de Reyes’

For the fifth consecutive year, Mexico City’s central Zocalo Square has been the host of the famed “Three King’s Day” celebration, one of the most beloved Christmas traditions in Mexico. This year thousands gathered to feast on a massive, 10 ton, ‘Rosca de Reyes,’ the traditional holiday cake, which was made with the participation of over two thousand bakers who used 2,323 pounds of fruit, 5,720 pounds of sugar and 1,320 pounds of marmalade. 

One Mexico City resident said the ‘Rosca de Reyes’ represents an important tradition for many Mexican families. “The cake represents the arrival of the Three Kings,” said Elizabeth Hernandez, a Mexico City Resident. 

The lively celebration known as ‘El Día de Reyes’ marks the epiphany taking place each year on January 6 .The day marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and the festivities celebrated in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries commemorate the visit of The Three Kings, or The Three Wise Men -- Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar -- who arrived with gold, frankincense and myrrh, as gifts from the Three Wise Men for the newborn child.

The tradition stems from Spain, where it has been celebrated since approximately the ninth century. Just as children leave out cookies for Santa, children in Mexico leave out water for the camels and food for the three wise men.